CATALONIA:

BARCELONA & BEYOND

DAY 4

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23, 2024

CATALONIA:

BARCELONA & BEYOND

DAY 4

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23, 2024

PRIESTS, PIRATES & PORRÓNS

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23, 2024

ABBEY OF MONTSERRAT

The famed Benedictine Monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat sits atop the jagged 1,236-meter-high mountain range that dominates the landscape from every vantage point in the wide-open Catalan countryside outside of Barcelona. The rocky backdrop against which the monastery walls were built is quite dramatic, as is the breathtaking vista from the peak, but many visitors come here mainly to view the statue of the Black Madonna, which represents the legendary patron Saint of Catalonia. The diminutive 12th century figure is permanently enthroned above the high altar in the basilica, and every day at 12:00 a boys’ choir dutifully sings her praises.

An equally inspiring secular option for visitors in Montserrat may be the group guided tour, an informative walk which culminates in a tasting of the monastery’s very own homemade liqueur.

la pirata brewing

La Pirata (”the Pirate”) epitomizes the bold new generation of Catalonian craft brewers: a beer fanatic’s kitchen experiment — in an historically wine-dominated region — that quickly evolved from a passionate hobby to a small but formidable enterprise producing award-winning artisanal brews. Co-owner and Head Brewer Aran Leon is a ubiquitous and genial figure on the Spanish craft beer scene. His American-equipped-and-inspired factory outside Manresa features a lively, casual tap room, while his satellite pub in cosmopolitan Madrid, Pirata Malasaña, offers an expanded international draft list.

manresa

Built around its famed 14th century basilica, Manresa is the capital of the region of Bages, in the very heart of Catalonia. It is said that “Bages” stems from the word “bacchus”, the area being an ancient center of winemaking. The city’s prominence in that industry was decimated by vine-eating insects at the turn of the 20th century; today, enthusiasm for craft beer has exploded for younger generations increasingly favoring IPA over wine. The key beer destination in the city is the aptly named Taverna dels Predicadors (“Preachers’ Tavern”), which features both Catalan and international specialties.

el porrón ​

Described as a cross between a wine bottle and watering can, the porrón allows groups of imbibers to consume communally without touching lips to vessels — particularly desirable when drinking is accompanied by food! Originating in Catalonia, its proper use — held aloft at arm’s length, allowing the liquid to sail through the air in a tight, straight stream to the mouth — is enforced rigorously, often to comical effect. Until recently, the porrón (“porró” in Catalan) was reserved for wine, but today it’s pervasive at craft beer fests, and typically used for sour beer.

**Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented on this webpage.  Inner Circle Beer Tours (ICBT) is not responsible for errors in or damages resulting from use of the information contained herein.  Information contained on this webpage is subject to change without notice.**

CATALONIA
CATALONIA

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